What is Git and why is it essential for web developers to learn?

Git is a distributed version control system (VCS) that tracks changes to files over time, allowing you to recall specific versions later. It records every modification, allowing you to revert to a previous state if you introduce a bug, compare changes over time, and understand who made what changes and when. Every developer has a full copy of the entire repository and its history on their local machine, making it fast and allowing for offline work.

Git is essential for web developers because managing changes to your codebase is paramount, whether working solo or as part of a team. Git and GitHub form the bedrock of collaborative coding and project management. Version control systems like Git are crucial for tracking changes in code, collaborating with other developers, and managing different versions of a project. Mastering the fundamental Git workflow is an essential skill for any developer.